A Future Molded by Risk-taking and Innovation

Acadia Divinity College, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has created the Futuring Lab, a dynamic space to conduct research on trends and developments that will impact the future life of the Church, as well as experiment with new approaches to theological education. The Lab has two inter-related elements: the Hub of Trend Research and Analysis to conduct, gather, and interpret research on cultural trends; and the Sandbox for Theological Education and the Church to experiment with new methods and pedagogies.

Karen Stiller interviewed Dr. Jodi Porter, Acadia Divinity College’s Director of Education for Ministry Innovation. She is overseeing the Futuring Lab, which is Acadia’s Pathways for Tomorrow project.

Briefly describe the project.

Our project, the Futuring Lab, encompasses the Hub of Trend Research and Analysis, and the Sandbox for Theological Education and the Church. Our goal is to integrate the discipline of future studies with theological education, so that we can anticipate what’s next in order to make strategic choices.

The Sandbox is where we experiment with institutional programs and pedagogies within the classroom. How does our research contribute to theological education? How do we best serve the college and support the Church?  

What have you learned so far?

I think part of what we will be learning, but are still figuring out, is how to do school change well. We talk about this being a liminal time for theological education and given that our smaller institution is embedded in a larger entity, alongside our energetic, excited leadership and colleagues, offers some unique possibilities. We have a good opportunity to change our school in ways that will be faithful for whatever is the next iteration of our work. This grant offers the potential to explore how to do change well.

In this context, we have space to experiment and try new things. For example, our president, Dr. Anna Robbins, did a listening tour and discovered a real need around mental health. We’ve hired a faculty member with expertise, and we’ll be offering more courses to students prepping for ministry who want to be better prepared for the mental health aspects they may encounter.

As the face of ministry changes, we’re providing micro-credential opportunities for alumni who recognize the need for additional leadership skills, whether in future studies or other pursuits. (We’ll have these opportunities available this summer.) We want to give students an opportunity to enhance their education, as they discern what they need as they are practicing ministry.

What has surprised you along the way?

Despite having open-minded colleagues and being part of an institution that encourages change and innovation, we might still get in our own way, despite our best intentions. It’s surprising how even when you want to innovate, you can still get stuck.

We must ask ourselves: What is our identity in these times where the face of ministry and denominations – we are affiliated with the Baptist tradition – can be changing? Currently, we’re reading Ted Smith’s The End of Theological Education about how to envision theological education. Smith discusses the history of U.S. theological schools and seminaries, stating that on one hand we can be excited, while on the other hand we can be challenged about the future. However, we must take a moment or two to imagine what that future will be like to best serve our constituencies.

What have been a few of your successes?

We’ve carved out and created a physical space, renovating an entire basement for our work. We set up several offices and space to conduct webinars. This was no small task, but I think that’s a win.

The grant-writing team has really thought about this work in a way that aligns with the long-standing institutional goals. This has garnered support for our work, reflecting another strong success.

Within the Sandbox, we’re working with three students, who want to learn more about the Baptist tradition, and creating more robust resources for participating churches. Our role includes helping them prepare to interview pastors. Through an independent study, they will earn credits, and provide valuable information for the Futuring Lab. Additionally within the Sandbox, we have an upcoming assessment day (I’m calling it Assessment Play), where I’ll be leading a creative way to approach that process. I hope that creativity will open more pathways to lead us toward innovation.